In the leafy confines of Brasilia’s Botanical Garden, the first week of August 2025 has seen former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro adjusting to a life dramatically different from the one he’s known for decades. Once the country’s most prominent political figure—and a man rarely out of the public eye—Bolsonaro now spends his days under house arrest, surrounded by family, a handful of close allies, and the constant scrutiny of Brazil’s highest court. The sudden shift has sent ripples through Brazil’s political class, the investment community, and his own deeply loyal base.
Bolsonaro’s house arrest began on Monday, August 4, 2025, after Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued an order citing the former president’s failure to comply with previously imposed restraining orders. According to Reuters, these restrictions were related to allegations that Bolsonaro had sought interference from U.S. President Donald Trump in his ongoing legal troubles—a charge Bolsonaro’s lawyers strongly deny. In fact, on Wednesday, August 6, his legal team filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, arguing that Bolsonaro had not breached the restraining orders and requesting that the house arrest order be reviewed by a broader panel of justices.
For Bolsonaro, the transition from the campaign trail and presidential palace to the quiet of his high-end condominium has been anything but easy. As reported by multiple outlets, including Folha de S.Paulo, the former president has experienced a rollercoaster of moods in his first week at home. Friends and family describe him as frustrated, tired, and at times visibly upset by what they see as a “disproportionate” decision by Justice de Moraes. One close ally, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared that Bolsonaro was “shot, tired and upset,” raising concerns among his friends about his overall well-being.
Yet, despite these emotional swings, there are also moments of calm. Another confidant reported that Bolsonaro had begun to adapt to his new reality and showed “no signs of depression.” The physical toll, however, has been evident. Leandro Echenique, a cardiologist on Bolsonaro’s authorized medical team, told Folha de S.Paulo that the former president’s recurring health issues—namely intermittent hiccup episodes and reflux—have returned. “The hiccup episodes have returned intermittently. He is already being reflux,” Echenique explained, noting that while Bolsonaro has faced similar post-operative crises before, these episodes tend to last longer now. Still, the doctor was quick to dismiss any direct link between Bolsonaro’s malaise and his house arrest.
Bolsonaro’s supporters have seized on his health struggles as a key argument in their efforts to prevent any escalation of his legal predicament, particularly as the specter of a possible prison sentence looms. For now, the terms of his house arrest are strict: he is forbidden from using any phone, and visitors must leave their devices in their cars before entering. The list of those permitted to visit is tightly controlled by Justice de Moraes and includes immediate family members—wife Michelle, daughter Laura, stepdaughter Leticia, and brother Renato—as well as a select group of political allies.
The rhythm of daily life in the Bolsonaro household has shifted accordingly. Michelle Bolsonaro, the former first lady, remains a steady presence. She continues her work as president of the PL Woman, the women’s branch of Bolsonaro’s political party, and has not given up her usual routines. On August 5, she posted a video to Instagram—wearing slippers, no less—urging resilience: “We cannot let the sad days take our joy. The joy of the Lord is our strength!” Her public optimism stands in contrast to the private worries of her husband’s inner circle, but it’s a message that resonates with Bolsonaro’s supporters.
Other family members have rallied around the former president. His son, Carlos Bolsonaro, a Rio de Janeiro councilman, arrived in Brasilia on August 7, and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) was among the first to visit after the house arrest order took effect. Even Bolsonaro’s brother Renato has been seen at the house, providing moral support. Allies like Senator Damares Alves, who described the house arrest as “torture” for a man used to constant activity, have also sought permission to visit. “He likes to do things. He has nothing to do, he invents. Staying indoors for him won’t be easy. But of course he will create a whole routine, bathing dog, taking care of the house, helping,” she told Folha de S.Paulo.
The support network extends beyond family. Visits from political allies have been carefully scheduled and regulated by Justice de Moraes, with some, like Deputy Governor Celina Leão, having their visits rescheduled to accommodate other commitments. Other authorized visitors include Federal Deputies Junio do Amaral, Marcelo Moraes, Luciano Zucco, and several others from Bolsonaro’s party. The intention, according to those close to Bolsonaro, is to keep him company and maintain his spirits during the long days indoors.
Yet, the legal and political ramifications of Bolsonaro’s confinement reach far beyond the walls of his home. On August 8, Bloomberg reported that Bolsonaro is unlikely to back Tarcisio de Freitas, the investor-favored governor of São Paulo, as a candidate in the October 2026 presidential election. Instead, five sources close to the former president told the publication that Bolsonaro is leaning toward supporting a member of his own family—a move that would disappoint investors hoping for a strong challenge to current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. With Bolsonaro himself banned from running, the right-wing movement he once led is now at a crossroads, searching for its next standard-bearer.
Bolsonaro’s house arrest is not without precedent in Brazilian politics, but the circumstances are extraordinary. The order was triggered by his participation in a political rally via video call in Rio de Janeiro—seen as a violation of the court’s restrictions on his public activity. Since then, the man once known for his prolific social media presence has been cut off from his digital platforms, adding another layer of isolation to his confinement.
Meanwhile, Bolsonaro’s lawyers continue to fight the house arrest in court. Their appeal argues that he did not violate the restraining orders and that the decision to confine him should be subject to review by a wider panel of Supreme Court justices. As the legal process grinds on, the former president’s supporters remain vocal, decrying what they see as judicial overreach and rallying around their embattled leader.
For now, the former president’s days are marked by a new routine—far removed from the campaign rallies, presidential duties, and public spectacle that defined his career. Whether this period of forced seclusion will mark the end of Bolsonaro’s political influence or merely the beginning of a new chapter remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the reverberations of his house arrest will be felt across Brazil’s political landscape for months, if not years, to come.
